Investigating the effects of online sports betting on the perceived social wellbeing of student athletes

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of online sports betting on the perceived social wellbeing of student-athletes using a cross-sectional survey methodology with a sample of 38 universities. Findings of the study demonstrate that (i) there was a positive and significant association between gambling severity and social wellbeing, (ii) gambling severity and social wellbeing of students are positively and significantly related, (iii) demographic factors have a significant interaction effect on gambling severity and social wellbeing relationship. This paper also exhibited that gamblers were disappointed after online sports betting efforts and that fatigue and sleep disturbances were common after a loss or victory on online sports betting. Problem gamblers should be introduced to treatment or rehabilitation programmes that will help them to overcome their addiction to online sports betting.